SCOTLAND SET TO BAN THE BREEDING OF ‘DESIGNER’ DOGS


The public response to a proposal from the Scottish government to effectively ban the breeding of ‘designer’ pets has been one of overwhelming support, with a resounding 96.8% voting in favour of the plan.

In recent years, the increased demand for popular breeds has led to unregulated and potentially harmful breeding practices, such as females being bred too frequently in order to keep up with the high demand.

The government’s proposal would see restrictions placed on the number of litters that a breeder can produce over a twelve month period. Currently, only dog breeders producing five or more litters a year in total are required to have a license, whilst the breeding of cats and rabbits is unregulated. The proposed restrictions would see this threshold lowered to three, and would be extended to cover both cats and rabbits as well. The proposal would also enforce a rule which would mean that individual female animals can only be bred to produce one litter per year, and cannot produce more than six litters in their lifetime. The new rules would apply to breeders of dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Another concern is that the breeds currently in such high demand are primarily those that suffer from a variety of health issues in later life. Animals with short noses and flattened heads (brachycephalic breeds) are incredibly popular at present, with one of the most well-known being the pug. These ‘cute’ characteristics, however, make them more susceptible to developing problems with their breathing - a condition known as Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. Another ‘at risk’ breed is the Munchkin cat, whose short legs are the result of a genetic deformity which can lead to problems with their spines and internal organs as they grow.

There are concerns about the ethics of intentionally breeding animals with deformities, and the government’s proposal to place restrictions on the breeding of dogs, cats, and rabbits aims to reduce the number of animals suffering from these genetic conditions.

Read more about the Scottish government’s proposal and public response here

Find out about England’s dog breeding regulations and licensing here

Read more about Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome here

The proposal




Written by Natalie Redford

Dying for breath

Dog breeds have always been subject to the fashions of the day. While originally selectively bred for traits that were useful for survival – hunting, retrieving, guarding, etc – few would be recognisable today, even to people from just a handful of decades ago.  Whether it’s breeding a leaner, faster racer, or a cuter, smaller, lap dog, humans have chosen the most attractive traits (to them), and fine-tuned them. 

In many cases, dogs’ visual traits have become the overriding selector in breeding, as visually appealing animals – or fashionable – sell quicker and for more money. This is causing some huge problems in the dogs themselves, particularly with brachycephalic breeds.

Brachycephalic breeds are those with flat faces; it literally means ‘shortened head.' Pugs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and many more, are all examples of brachycephalic dogs. Biologically, brachycephalic faces are the result of an undersized upper jaw, but in dogs, both upper and lower jaws are affected, and whilst the jaw is small, the tissues are of a normal size (for the given dog). This results in constricted airways and a propensity to suffer from a range of dangerous conditions collectively termed Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BAS).

You might be surprised to know that every brachycephalic dog suffers from some form of BAS, as well as being vulnerable to more dangerous conditions. The obvious symptoms, and those that you’ll recognise in many flat-faced breeds, are snorting, snoring, noisy breathing, and overheating (brachycephalic dogs can’t pant effectively). The less obvious symptoms are multiple and life-threatening. Battersea vets state that what some dogs experience is “the equivalent of us breathing through a drinking straw.” Imagine how it feels to go for walk, a jog, a run, or out on a hot day whilst only breathing through a straw.

BAS not only worsens with exercise, but also over time, and older dogs will have a greater likelihood of life-threatening conditions developing. There are other complications, too, that are not so well known, from eye diseases and dental problems, to repeated skin infections and an inability to give birth naturally.

The British Veterinary Association has been warning people not to buy flat-faced breeds since 2016, but there has been a big increase in their popularity. Perceived as attractive due to their pug noses, big eyes, and compact stature, social media and celebrity ownership has also spiked the numbers.

Worryingly, a recent report from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home revealed that, in 2018, it had to operate on more flat-faced dogs to help them breathe than at any time in its history: 62 lifesaving operations, compared to just seven in 2015.

The BBC recently highlighted this issue, and Battersea’s head vet, Shaun Opperman, stated that the number of brachycephalic dogs is; “one of the biggest welfare issues that Battersea is facing right now.”

Now, we love all dogs: big and burly, lean and long, cute, pug-nosed, stumpy-legged, big-eyed – we love them all. But, as appealing as these dogs can be, any encouragement or furthering of such extreme damaging-to-health breeding – especially for cosmetic purposes – is not only irresponsible, but very cruel.

Of course, breeding these dogs wouldn’t occur if the demand wasn’t there. If you’re considering getting a brachycephalic breed, read up on brachycephalic dogs, and have a chat with your vet before coming to a decision. Think very carefully about the distress their condition causes them, particularly as they age, and future medical treatments or operations that may be required.